Celebrate Pet Companionship During National Pet Week

AUSTIN, Texas, May 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- You love your pets 365 days a year, but National Pet Week, which runs May 4 through 10, is a special week to celebrate the companionship your furry and feathered friends provide. Every day across America, there are more than 200 million pets enriching the lives of their owners with their unique traits and personalities. This week, veterinary clinics and other pet-related groups are hosting events like dog washes, fun runs and contests in honor of the contributions our pets make to our lives.

National Pet Week was created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in 1981. Observed each year during the first full week of May, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond and responsible pet ownership by encouraging pet owners to celebrate pet companionship during this special week.

Owning pets can provide people with a range of benefits, from the comfort of companionship to a more active lifestyle. Make sure you're making their lives fulfilling as well by practicing responsible pet ownership. Visit your veterinarian for annual check-ups to ensure your pet is fit, healthy, up-to-date on all vaccinations and on an appropriate parasite prevention plan. "The most critical thing you can do to keep your pet happy and healthy in the long term is to develop an open, honest and trusting relationship with your veterinarian and his or her staff," said Nancy Turner, DVM, a member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association who practices at Vickery Place Animal Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Remember that your veterinarian is the most reliable source of information about your pet's health and wellness. While the internet offers a vast range of pet information at the click of a mouse, this content most often has not been written or reviewed by a licensed veterinarian. The most safe and effective health plan is created by a veterinarian who has thoroughly examined your pet. Tips you read online may be true for one pet but do not account for the unique circumstances of your pet's situation.

For more information on National Pet Week, visit www.petweek.org. Whether it's your cat's crooked tail, your bird's melody or your dog's way of greeting you at the door, celebrate what your pets bring into your life this week.

About the Texas Veterinary Medical AssociationFounded in 1903, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association composed of more than 3,700 veterinarians committed to protecting public health, promoting high educational, ethical and moral standards within the veterinary profession and educating the public about animal health and its relationship to human health. For more information, call 512/452-4224 or visit www.tvma.org.